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Post-Art Basel: 3 Top Events We Enjoyed

The closing of Art Basel 2014 signified the end of another successful annual Miami tradition until next year rolls around bringing more, ever-changing, culture and art. Before we allow for the memories to trail off into an unseen treasure box of sun-kissed thoughts, here is a look at 3 events you may have missed that we were able to enjoy during the yearly fest of art and culture.

Diane von Furstenberg

For legendary designer and jetsetter, Diane von Furstenberg, travel is everything and it shows. The creator of the iconic wrap dress, the Belgian designer made a stop in Miami during Art Basel to promote her new memoir, “The Woman I Wanted to Be,” as well as celebrate the opening of her new store at the Aventura Mall.

“I travel all the time, so for me, travel is my life,” von Furstenberg said of her designs. “Everything is inspired by my travels.”

With the line of fans creeping outside the store, others walked through the new space admiring bags and dresses. The store is the first of its kind, modeled after an exhibit in Los Angeles celebrating the 40th anniversary of the wrap dress.

At 67, the Belgian designer said that at this point in her life, she has been looking back at all her adventures and was inspired to write her memoir. She spoke at Books & Books in Bal Harbour and also joined spoke at the the Organization of Women in International Trade at the Rusty Pelican during its International Business Women of the Years Awards. She also has a reality television show on E!, “House of DVF,” to search for the brand’s next ambassador.

Herradura Barrel Art Competition

What better way to bring together spirits and art? The Mexican tequila brand came to Art Basel for its seven-city barrel art competition, inviting artists take a crack at revamping the Herradura wooden barrels. Hosted by Thrillist Miami at Studio 743 in South Beach, local artists joined showcased their work, some carved, others painted and one went as far as to simply burn the wood and leave behind rings of metal bands. While guests sipped on Herradura cocktails (including the popular Mexican Mule), judges examined the barrels and gave the top spot of $10,000 to Mariana Monteagudo, who turned the barrel into a doll’s face.

Courtesy IWC

IWC Schaffhausen at the W South Beach

The Swiss luxury watch brand hosted a star-studded dinner and outdoor after party at the W South Beach. The latter was a small gallery of beautiful black-and-white photographs by Peter Lindbergh of the brand ambassadors in the “Timeless Portofino” exhibition, cases of leather-banded IWC watches, as well as Davidoff cigars. Under the fire marshal’s orders, only a certain amount of people come could in and crowds built at different checkpoints to enter the party — from the beginning, it was unclear where the exact location was on the property.

Adriana Lima, Karolina Kurkova, and Emily Blunt arrived at the red carpet around midnight, two hours after the start of the event, and Solange Knowles performed for the crowd.